Detroit Lions first-round pick Eric Ebron fits in quickly

Detroit Lions tight ends Eric Ebron (85) and Jacob Maxwell are seen during drills at the Lions rookie camp in Allen Park, Mich., Friday, May 16, 2014. It was a bit of a surprise when the Lions took a tight end in the first round of the draft, but Ebron could have a chance to excel in Detroit's passing game. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

ALLEN PARK >> Eric Ebron, the Detroit Lions first-round pick, can no longer just be in awe of Calvin Johnson, six days after he was drafted he was lining up beside the man they call Megatron on the practice field.

“It’s fun, when you line up beside Calvin Johnson and he asks you, ‘Are you good?’

“I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m good’. You’re still shaking because you’re lining up beside Calvin Johnson. It’s fun it’s fun to touch base with people like that and understand where they’re from and their personalities, not think that they’re super-human, they’re human too and it works,’’ Ebron said on Friday, the first day of the three-day rookie minicamp.

Ebron was on the field with the other draft picks, undrafted free agents and 23 tryout players.

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Of course, it’s early, but coach Jim Caldwell likes what he’s seen from Ebron.

“We’ve had a chance to watch him in terms of the draft and preparation, he’s just what he’s supposed to be,’’ Caldwell said. “He’s a big athletic guy that certainly moves extremely well, covers a lot of ground and he’s learning quickly as well. He’s adapting and doing all the things you’d anticipate he would do. His reputation preceded him and he’s living up to it.’’

The draft picks reported on Monday to start getting acquainted with the playbook. Also they got limited time on the field with the veterans.

“It’s fun, it’s challenging,’’ Ebron said. “Of course your head is swimming I think I had a migraine 30 seconds after we started going over the playbook,’’ he said jokingly. “It’s very fun to learn new things. Once you grasp it you can do it full-speed. You understand why they coach you so hard.’’

He said he can see the possibilities in the offense by looking at the playbook. He’s humble about earning a starting position, but it would be a surprise if he didn’t.

“It’s going to be incredible. ... Definitely getting the opportunity to play beside (Brandon) Pettigerw, Calvin and Reggie (Bush) and Golden Tate and all those guys, you can see how a playbook and my position can open up the voids, the areas where those guys can shine by just the attention that I’ll receive,’’ Ebron said.

The tight end, who had a reputation at North Carolina as more of a pass-receiving tight end than a blocking one, was working on the sled drills during the limited portion of practice open to the media.

“That’s what a tight end does, that’s what I do,’’ Ebron said. “What people were saying, what people say I can’t take words and put them in their mouths, that’s what they say. That’s what they think, but I’ll prove otherwise.’’